Tommy Robinson has been nominated in the Cultural Contribution in the Pride of Reading Awards

3 October 2018

Tommy Robinson, the John Madejski Academy's (JMA) head of creative and performing arts and 2018 BTEC Teacher of the Year. Credit:JMA

An awarding-winning teacher from the John Madejski Academy (JMA) is hoping to add another gong to his trophy cabinet after being nominated for a Pride of Reading Award.

Tommy Robinson, the JMA’s head of creative and performing arts, could go to the top of the class at this year’s glitzy awards ceremony after being put forward for the coveted Cultural Contribution crown by Toni Ford, from Whitley.

Mrs Ford, 43, who lives in Hartland Road, has two daughters at the school: 14-year-old Eloise in Year 10 and Sophie, 11, who started this term.

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Speaking warmly about Mr Robinson, she said: “Tommy is the performing arts teacher and his subject and our children are his life.

“This year they have performed in 35-plus shows and won numerous awards.

“This man is an amazing teacher who brings out in these children things that they never knew possible.

"They are one amazing family both on and off the stage, and this is all down to Tommy.”

In July, Mr Robinson, who has been at the JMA since it opened in 2005, was named the BTEC Teacher of the Year 2018.

And under his tutorage, his pupils have also tasted victory, winning Youth Choir of the Year, Overall Choir of the Year, and the Under-25s Talent Award at the Reading Culture Awards.

They also took to the stage for 36 performances in 14 venues, and represented Reading in Dusseldorf for the 70th anniversary of the town twinning.

Tommy Robinson receiving the trophy for Reading Overall Choir of the Year from former Mayor of Reading Cllr Rose Williams. And holding the Youth Choir of the Year Award is Eloise Ford (2nd row 4th left). Credit: UGC

And BTEC students achieved 100 per cent D*, securing their first choice university place.

On being told of his Pride of Reading nomination, Mr Robinson said he felt “amazed and humbled”, adding: “It’s been a mad year for us in the performing arts with some astonishing achievements, however, I really think this tops it!

“I have worked in Reading for over 13 years and, in that time, have seen the arts blossom and grow.

"To have been a small part of that makes me proud, and to be recognised with this nomination, even prouder.

“My job is to create an environment for growth in our students and community.

"We all work really hard to make sure that the students get the very best from their experience of education; one they can take forward for their future.

“However, we also know that it’s the parents that drive this; it’s their support of their children and the belief in what we do for them that is more important than anything I can do.

“Therefore, to be nominated by a parent of one of our students is vindication of this.

"Without the constant support of them and the guidance they give their children, we are pushing kittens up a hill!”

Tommy Robinson and JMA students winning the Under-25s Talent of the Year trophy at Reading Cultural Awards. Credit: UGC

On what makes him most proud, he said: “The best thing about being a teacher is always the success of our students. [And] watching them grow and develop from scared and emotionally fragile children to fully grown and confident young adults is what makes me proud.

“I am lucky to be head of performing arts at a school that constantly supports the work I do, and be surrounded by the exceptional talent and dedication of the students.

“If I was to pinpoint the proudest thing about being head of performing arts, it’s the look of absolute surprise and pleasure in the students’ faces when they get that applause, knowing they have achieved and knowing they are good at something.

“They are amazing ambassadors not just for the school but for the whole of Reading, Berkshire.

"They want the grades, they want to go to university and succeed, and they do.”